Holloway: We've Got Building To Do

PUBLISHED

09:17 24th July 2013

I know we’ve got a lot of building to do. I know what it’s like to be a club that comes up late"

Ian Holloway

Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway was pleased with his side’s performance in last night’s 3-0 win over Gillingham – but admitted he is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing his squad in the Premier League.

Goals from Dean Moxey, Stephen Dobbie and trialist Quincy Owusu-Abeyie saw Palace cruise to victory over last season’s League Two winners. And Holloway was happy with some of the football his team played.

“For us as a training session, against a team that ended up as champions last year, we knew it was going to be tough and it proved to be that,” the Eagles boss said.

“They had a great spell in the second half but I’m pleased with everything, the organisation we managed to get in to play two different teams.

“That’s how I choose to do it and I was very, very pleased. It took the second half team a bit of time to get used to it, they had a right go at us, but at the end of the day a couple of breaks and good finishing won us the game.

“Hopefully we can gain from that, but it’s all about fitness, it’s not about scores now.

“I know we’ve got a lot of building to do. I know what it’s like to be a club that comes up late and we are not in the same echelons as the top half of this table that we are now in.

"It’s like starting a marathon and they are 20 miles away. Are we going to catch them? That’s the target.”

Ollie revealed that he is still looking to bolster his squad ahead of the new season, with Owusu-Abeyie impressing him in what was his second pre-season appearance.

Holloway said of the former Arsenal and Portsmouth winger: “He scored a goal. I would expect someone of his standard to score a goal. But it’s whether he works for the group and with me, but I was pleased for him. It was a great finish, great burst of pace.

“I do like him. He’s playing with a smile on his face and my job is to get him a contract over here. If it’s with us then great, if not it will be with someone else, but he’s done his cause no harm by scoring a goal.”

One signing already in the bag for Palace is young Spaniard Jose Campana, who made his first appearance for the club against the Gills, showing his class in an impressive first half outing. And the gaffer was pleased with the way the 20-year-old slotted into the Eagles midfield.

He said: “I’m delighted we’ve got him. He knows what I want him to do and my job is to make sure every player I’ve got knows their job.

“Jose’s been very fortunate I think to come from a country that plays some wonderful football. I’m quite astounded at his knowledge of where to go and what to do. If you looked at him and Jedinak, you would have thought they played together for years.”